Best deodorant for boils
In this article, we’re going to explore the best deodorant for boils.
Boils is another name for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). It is an intensely inflammatory condition of the skin that resembles ‘cystic acne’ or boils, but is located mostly on the armpit, groin, and folds under breasts.
Mostly, it’s areas where you have hair and a profusion of sweat glands.
Those that have experienced these breakouts know how difficult it is to find a deodorant or antiperspirant that’s both effective and non-irritating.
With that in mind, we put together a test team – all people who have had hidradenitis suppurativa – and got them to test a basket of deodorants and antiperspirants, and give us their opinions.
Native Deodorant Coconut & Vanilla was their top choice. It’s aluminum-free and feels light and fresh under the arms. It doesn’t irritate sensitive skin and provides excellent odor protection.
Keep reading to see the results of our test, and discover products that may work for you.
Best Overall
Native Deodorant
Pros
- Aluminum free
- No parabens
- No phthalates
- No talc.
- Only naturally derived ingredients
- Effective protection
- Glides on
- Sustainable, natural fragrances
- Cruelty-free
- Unisex
Cons
- Can stain clothing if overapplied
Best hypoallergenic
Almay Sensitive Skin Clear Gel
Pros
- Gentle
- Hypoallergenic
- Antiperspirant and deodorant for sensitive skin
- Provides all-day protection
- Quick-drying gel
- No white residue on your clothes
- Dermatologist-tested
- Safe for all skin types
- Allergy tested
- Fragrance-free
- Alcohol-free
Cons
- The gel tends to become runny in hot temperatures
Best Organic
Schmidt’s Aluminum Free Natural Deodorant
Pros
- Really natural
- First Ecocert Certified natural deodorant in the US
- Effectively neutralizes odors
24-hour odor protection - Certified 100% natural origin fragrance
1-2 swipes effectively fight body odor - Plant-based ingredients
- No aluminum salts
- No artificial fragrance
Cons
- Can stain clothes
Native Deodorant
Best Overall
Many people consider switching to natural deodorants or antiperspirants but end up sticking to what they’ve been using all along simply because they don’t believe the natural products work as well.
The choice ultimately comes down to that wet, clammy feeling, over dryness with the skin absorbing potential toxins.
This Native Deodorant seems to strike the perfect balance between the two.
It works just as well as any traditional deodorant – remember, this is for odor prevention, not the reduction of perspiration. Toxins like aluminum, phthalates, parabens, and talc don’t feature in this formula at all.
And the coconut & vanilla smell is actually quite heady. There’s a sort of aromatic candle smell that lingers in the armpit for hours after applying it, regardless of how active you’ve been in the meantime.
Natural and sustainable fragrances are a part of Native’s philosophy. It’s a wholesome product that does the job it sets out to do.
When looking for a natural deodorant for boils, it is important to manage your expectations. Remember, no deodorant that drops aluminum from its formula will have proper antiperspirant properties. You will still sweat while wearing Native.
But if odor control is your number one priority, this is a fantastic option
Pros
- Aluminum free
- No parabens
- No phthalates
- No talc.
- Only naturally derived ingredients
- Effective protection
- Glides on
- Sustainable, natural fragrances
- Cruelty-free
- Unisex
Cons
- Can stain clothing if overapplied
Almay Sensitive Skin Clear Gel
Best hypoallergenic
If you’re looking to find something that prevents odor and sweat marks in one, this may be the deodorant you want to try.
It is incredibly effective for an unscented gel. Some of our team members have had bad reactions to other products, and most of them limit their regular use to hypoallergenic deodorants. Without exception, they loved the Almay Sensitive Skin Clear Gel.
It has no scent, no irritating additives, and no alcohol. In short, for sensitive skin, or as a deodorant for someone with boils, this is a perfect fit.
Here is what one of the team members had to say when we sat down for the post-test interview. “My skin has always been impossibly sensitive. I can’t use normal deodorant. And forget an antiperspirant. This product works for me.
I’ll buy it. Today. When I leave the office!”
It is a gel, and if you’ve never used this type before, the initial wet feeling may come as a surprise. Just wait a few minutes – it dries out quickly, and then you won’t know it’s there.
If you have super sensitive skin, and you need something powerful to keep you dry and fresh, Almay is one of the best deodorants for boils.
It is also perfect for those whose skin can’t tolerate fragrant deodorants.
Pros
- Gentle
- Hypoallergenic
- Antiperspirant and deodorant for sensitive skin
- Provides all-day protection
- Quick-drying gel
- No white residue on your clothes
- Dermatologist-tested
- Safe for all skin types
- Allergy tested
- Fragrance-free
- Alcohol-free
Cons
- The gel tends to become runny in hot temperatures
Schmidt’s Aluminum Free Natural Deodorant
Best Organic
People have loved this brand for yonks! The ingredients that make up the formula are plant-based, and gentle – things like arrowroot powder and essential oils.
Schmidt’s avoids phthalates, parabens, artificial fragrances, and above all, aluminum. And for those who struggle with boils, it has no baking soda either.
The manufacturer promises 24-hour protection. Our team’s results indicated it’s closer to 10 hours, though.
Again, we asked one of our team members to write a short report, in their own words, when we sat down for the post-test interview. Here is what they said.
“I’ve tried just about every available deodorant over the years. Name brands and upstarts. I can’t use anything with aluminum in it. Not since HS, anyway. The natural ones didn’t provide long-lasting effects. But this is a deodorant I can use. Definitely.”
The scent in the Schmidt’s Aluminum Free Natural Deodorant is derived from essential oils. Be careful if you’ve shown allergies to these before. Read the list of ingredients if you’re not sure.
But for those who want a reliable, natural deodorant that works well with sensitive skin, give this a try. Our team loved it.
Pros
- Really natural
- First Ecocert Certified natural deodorant in the US
- Effectively neutralizes odors
24-hour odor protection - Certified 100% natural origin fragrance
1-2 swipes effectively fight body odor - Plant-based ingredients
- No aluminum salts
- No artificial fragrance
- No filler ingredients
- No propylene glycol
- No phthalates
- No parabens
Cons
- Can stain clothes
Surface Deep Anti-Odorant Pads
Best deodorant pads
These are aluminum-free anti-odor pads.
Most natural deodorants prevent or block odors with moisture-absorbing ingredients. This in turn prevents bacteria growth. But the Surface Deep Anti-Odorant Pads use alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) that alter the pH under your arms to prevent bacteria growth.
These AHAs are fruit-based glycolic acids, and they are infused with probiotics from fermented coconuts and aloe leaf juice that help to calm and cleanse the skin.
Essential oils provide a hint of scent and mean one swipe should keep you completely odor-free for a whole day.
These pads are also 100% compostable.
To get a firsthand view from someone who had struggled with boils, we sat down and asked one of the team members for her opinion during our post-test pow-wow. “I hate buying deodorant,” she said. Nothing works for me. And even if I find something that looks like it might, it seldom works for more than a month, before my skin packs up again. But I’m going to try the pads. They make me feel great.
Remember that the AHAs have the potential to be drying. So, these pads are not the best in winter months, especially if your skin tends to be dry.
The pads also contain salicylic acid and this can be irritating to sensitive skin. If you know what your skin issues are, make sure to read the formula before using them.
If you’re looking for something that will treat your skin with the gentleness it deserves, free from parabens, phthalates, alcohols, sulfates, and aluminum, this is a deodorant antiperspirant you should definitely try.
Pros
- Dermatologist-developed
- Biodegradable
- Powered by fruit-based glycolic acid and probiotics
- All day
- Great if you struggle with boils
- Travel-friendly pads
- Individually wrapped
- Aluminum-free
- No parabens
- No baking soda
- Unscented
Cons
- Pricey
Ursa Major Natural Deodorant
Best deodorant pads
This deodorant from Ursa Major is made with hops, and this is proven to bring a unique freshness to your pits. It also has peppermint in the formula and eucalyptus. These ingredients help to generate that ‘cool’ feeling. The formula contains high levels of aloe vera to soothe sensitive skin, and it uses kaolin clay for moisture absorption.
The Ursa Major Natural deodorant gets rid of odiferous bacteria and offers lasting protection. It glides on easily – many of our team members, some with extremely sensitive underarms commented on this.
The brand identifies as ‘plastic-negative.’ It means, for every bottle they produce, they remove two from nature. This created a lot of good feelings among the test team. It’s always great to work with a company that cares for the environment.
In our pow-wow, a team member wrote the following: “Great deodorant. I sweat a lot. Mostly because I drink a lot of coffee. This deodorant is good with odor, and it doesn’t leave pit stains. I’ll buy it in a flash.”
It’s probably best to allow a three-week trial period if you decide to start using this deodorant. This is simply because it takes a little time to adjust when crossing over from a traditional deodorant.
Pros
- Eliminates underarm odor
- Absorbs excess moisture
- Soothes sensitive skin
- Healthy ingredients
- Invigorating aroma
- All-day freshness
- Aluminum-free
- Cruelty-free
- Non-toxic
Cons
- Can stain clothing
